Emerson's 1st Birthday!

Party Recap

I believe that one of my jobs as a mom is to create beautiful memories for my kids. I realize that not all of my efforts will be remembered but, what I do know is that there will be some that are and they will be etched in my kid's minds forever and that is what's important.

One of the ways I try to create memories for my kids is through birthday parties. Emerson's first "Pirates and Fairies" birthday party has been my recent memory making project.

After weeks and hours of scouring the web for inspiration for the party, I began making notes and pictures of my ideas until I felt I had the perfect combination of ingredients to make our guests feel as if they had shipwrecked upon a beautiful enchanted forest with gorgeous fairies, friendly pirates and fun galore! Then, I tried to bring it to life. (I fell head-over-heels with a Kate Landers Woodland Party but knew I could recreate some of the aspects for a fraction of the price!)

There was a Fairy Tree crafted out of a coat rack with branches secured to it. From the branches hung adorable tutus made by Grammy and Mommy (Grammy's were the best!), sequin fairy masks and wands, gemstone plastic rings, and fairy wings. We stood a full length mirror nearby so the girls could try on all of the items and pick what they liked best!

We also had plenty of eye patches, Pirate hats and hoop earrings for the Pirate want-to-be's!

There was plenty of fun food for little kids and the young at heart complete with cheesy pirate booty
served in a woodsy wooden bowl.

Chicken salad sandwiches and Fairy Berries (fruit) of course! Turkey and cheese sandwiches were cut out into the shapes of flowers on pink (dyed by a local bakery) or white bread complete with a baby cucumber on top.

There were fairy-inspired activities galore and the party wrapped up with a real Pirate Treasure Hunt (A treasure chest pinata full of yummy candy) and a beautiful rainbow cake and cupcakes.

The fairies were sent home with fairy dust (oatmeal and glitter) and were told to sprinkle it on their lawn so fairies would come and visit.

We sent the Pirates home with homemade glitter Pirate Play-dough.

The day was truly memorable and I couldn't have pulled it off without the help of 4 lovely friends who helped me bring my ideas to life!

Theme

Guests

Location

Date

Party Highlights

Best Dressed

Our sweet little friend Carly. She wore a Pirate striped T, a gorgeous rainbow tutu, cowboy boots and the sparkly tiara we gave her for her birthday. (She won extra points for that!) :)

Desserts

Rainbow cake and cupcakes with tiny butterflies and fairies on top.

Activities / Games

Upon arrival, the guests were led to the Fairy Tree Room where there was a huge coat rack that had been transformed into a tree. The branches held beautiful tutus, fairy wings, faux gemstone rings and sequin butterfly masks. Nearby there was a chest of goodies for the Pirates--eye patches, gold hoop clip-on earrings, Pirate hats, hooks and swords.
Guest could decorate foam colored butterflies with pom poms, stickers, glitter and gems.
They could build their own fairy houses out of sticks, bark, stones, pine and colored gem stones. The book "Fairy Houses" was close by if anyone needed further inspiration. And we had glitter glue of course!
The Fairy Tree room had a reading nook with all kinds of books on Pirates, Fairies and Classic Fairy Tales. Bubble wand swords for Pirates too.
During the party our friend Chantelle took around a big bucket and shovel so kids could dig in the sand (rice) for treasures. There were gold candy coins and real one dollar bills.
My husband then led the kids on a Treasure Chest Hunt all through our yard. They loved it! The hunt ended at a Treasure Chest pinata full of yummy candy!

Best Moment

Seeing all of the kids with cake smeared all over their clothes and faces running around in delight with as much candy as their little hands could hold. It made me smile that I had created a happy place for them!

What People Drank

Most Touching Moment

When it was all over and I was writing my blog post. All of the wonderful feelings I have for my daughter bubbled over and I love that she'll forever have my thoughts in a place she can always go back to.

Funniest Moment

When my daughter cried hysterically because she did NOT want to go in her high chair for birthday cake. The second she saw that cupcake coming her way she yanked her paci right out, smiled huge and her eyes said it all--"Bring It!"

Friends and Loved Ones

There was nothing better than being surrounded by my mom and friends that we love. Since our families live so far away our friends have become like family to us. It warms my heart to be surrounded by those we cherish.
I also had some amazing women help me pull this party off and I give them full credit on my blog. I can't even thank them enough.
And what would this party be without other bloggers out there? I was so inspired by ideas I found online by other women just like me. I tried to credit as many of them as possible as I want to give credit where it is due. THANK YOU for helping me create a beautiful memory for my family!

Hand

Party Helpers

Great Cakes (idea inspired by what I had seen online)

Cake designer

They have made numerous birthday and anniversary cakes for me. Each time I have asked them to do something very unusual. They always deliver on my idea and with a smile on their face!

203-222-9696

💬

5 comments

Isabeau L
wrote:

this is magical!

May 19, 2011

Isabeau L
wrote:

How sweet!

May 19, 2011

Isabeau L
wrote:

that looks spectacular how gorgeous are those skirts!

May 19, 2011

Sharon K
wrote:

Love this idea for sandwiches! What type of bread did you use? Filling? Thanks!

Jul 13, 2011

Brooke M
wrote:

Hi there! I'm so sorry for the delay but we've been traveling for the summer. I had a local bakery bake pink bread for me which they gave me in a loaf (you could also have them slice them). These particular sandwiches had turkey and cheese or ham and cheese on them. My friend sliced a mini cucumber with a flower cutter and added that as garnish. :) The ones with sprinkles had peanut butter and jelly. Let me know if you have any more questions.